Luke Littler has reported sensing a “tension” among his opponents as he continues his quest for his first World Darts Championship title, following a remarkable rise in the sport.
The 17-year-old has quickly become a prominent figure in darts, having finished as runner-up on his debut at Ally Pally and subsequently winning prestigious tournaments including the Premier League, World Series of Darts Finals, and Grand Slam of Darts.
His recent accomplishments have elevated the profile of darts, evidenced by his nomination for BBC Sports Personality of the Year, where he was the runner-up to Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson.
Littler commented on the competitive atmosphere, saying, “I don’t know. I’d probably say some players do show it, mainly on the pro tour.” He acknowledged that he has noticed increased sponsorship opportunities for fellow players, attributing some of that to his own success.
In a thrilling match on Monday night, Littler defeated Ryan Joyce 4-3 to secure his place in the quarter-finals, aiming to improve upon last year’s runner-up finish against Luke Humphries.
As the highest-seeded player remaining in the tournament, Littler is now viewed as a favorite to clinch the championship. He can afford to smile at any tension directed his way.
“It’s definitely not to my face,” Littler shared, adding that he senses the competitive atmosphere during practice sessions. “Whenever I’m practicing, I can just feel that tension. And I just laugh at it.”
In the upcoming quarter-finals, Littler is set to face Nathan Aspinall, who recently dominated Ricardo Pietreczko 4-0. Littler noted, “It’s going to be tough… but it’s the last eight of the World Championship, and anyone can win on the day.”
Discussing his approach to the match, Littler stated he would likely keep his distance from Aspinall leading up to their encounter, emphasizing the need to prioritize competition over personal relationships.
As the Paddy Power World Darts Championship progresses, fans are eager to see who will emerge victorious in this thrilling tournament. Tune in to follow every match live until January 3 on ECNETNews.
